07-20-2009, 06:01 PM
I need to get a lot of work done on my car (2001 Civic, 105k miles): timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, check valve clearance, replace various fluids (antifreeze, brake, power steering, manual transmission fluid). I also need new front brake pads and most likely rotors.
I would like to stick with OEM parts as I know they're good. I can get a pretty decent discount if I order the parts online comapred to what a Honda deale might charge. So I want to take the car to a mechanic (one that I have used in the past and I trust) and I would like to ask him if I can bring in my own parts so I don't spend an arm and a leg.
I wonder if this is an unusual request and if the mechanic will be offended by this. I suspect (but I don't know) that the mechanics often order parts from the same discount places and they might charge full price to their customers, thus making a little extra profit on reselling the parts (on top of labor charges). Also, if I order online, there is no tax (7%) which would probably be around $50 as I suspect the parts alone will cost me over $500
I would like to stick with OEM parts as I know they're good. I can get a pretty decent discount if I order the parts online comapred to what a Honda deale might charge. So I want to take the car to a mechanic (one that I have used in the past and I trust) and I would like to ask him if I can bring in my own parts so I don't spend an arm and a leg.
I wonder if this is an unusual request and if the mechanic will be offended by this. I suspect (but I don't know) that the mechanics often order parts from the same discount places and they might charge full price to their customers, thus making a little extra profit on reselling the parts (on top of labor charges). Also, if I order online, there is no tax (7%) which would probably be around $50 as I suspect the parts alone will cost me over $500